Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 12: Despite a tribunal ruling in favour of the state transport corporation, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has yet to grant the necessary permits to operate KSRTC buses from Mangaluru to Karkala via Moodbidri.

Currently, 84 service and 48 express buses operated by private companies make two to three trips daily to Karkala. While these private buses offer good service, the opening of several educational institutions in Moodbidri has significantly increased the number of passengers. During peak hours, buses often carry more passengers than the specified limit.

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In 2009, then-deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj proposed the introduction of government bus services and instructed the application for permits. The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) initially provided various excuses but eventually permitted eight buses to operate 56 trips, six years later.

Some private bus operators secured a stay order from the Motor Tribunal Court in Bengaluru, arguing that the Gurpur bridge would collapse if government buses began operating on the Karkala route. The KSRTC appealed this decision, and a new bridge was subsequently constructed at Gurpur. However, after reassessment, the government bus trips were reduced to 24 trips for eight buses.

The KSRTC once again appealed, arguing that operating only 24 trips would result in financial losses, as each bus would only be able to make three trips per day. Two months ago, the court ruled in favour of granting 56 trips to the KSRTC, ordering the RTA to issue the permit within 90 days after a meeting with the deputy commissioner.

Social worker Hanumantha Kamath remarked, "There have been unnecessary delays in providing KSRTC bus services on the Mangaluru-Moodbidri-Karkala route for the past 15 years. If buses are scheduled, it will greatly benefit students and women. The RTA should hold a meeting soon."

Deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan confirmed that they have received the proposal to begin KSRTC bus services to Karkala, and an RTA meeting will be held soon to finalize the service.